Gov. Kasich: Obama's Policies a Drag on Economy

Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he is pleased with the state’s progress in creating new jobs and closing its $8 billion budget gap, but says Obama administration policies are still a drag on economic recovery efforts.

“What is causing us not to grow as fast as we should in Ohio is uncertainty,” the Republican told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto Wednesday.

He blamed Obamacare, burdensome regulation, and talk of more taxes as the culprits, saying its hard for companies to get a handle on what their costs are going to be from one year to the next.

“My greatest worry is Washington screwing this whole thing up. I am worried about Europe, but I am also worried about Washington, that can’t get its act together,” Kasich said, adding, “The president doesn’t seem to have a very good economic program at all.

“He doesn’t understand investment; I don’t think he understands risk taking. . . . So we are kind of carving our own way out here, Neil, and it is working for us,” Kasich said.

Asked about Vice President Joe Baden’s campaign appearance in Ohio Wednesday, in which he appeared to take credit on behalf of the administration for the state’s improved economic standing, Kasich laughed.

“It doesn’t bother me,” he said, adding, “You start worrying about all these results or who gets credit, and I think you just have lost your way.”

Kasich ticked off a list of business-friendly changes, ranging from streamlining regulations and cutting taxes, which have made the state the top job creator in the Midwest.

“We were near death . . . before we fixed things here,” Kasich said.

“We have a long way to go,” he added. “Our unemployment is still too high. But, look, what we have done is provide certainty to companies so they can feel safe in coming to Ohio. And we have created diversity.”

The governor, a former Budget Committee chairman in the U.S. House, was also asked about House Speaker John Boehner’s new threat of a showdown on the debt ceiling limit, which political observers say could lead to a government shutdown.

Kasich laughed again, dismissing the talk as election-year politics.

“I mean, realistically, if Boehner can shoot a three from half-court and score, I am all for him,” he said. “But I anticipate a run towards this election and a debate about who has the right policies to grow jobs and grow the economy.”